Who we are

History:

The United Native American Organization found in 1965-67 as the American Indian Organization. From that time, the name of the organization was changed to Kachina Club of NMSU (fall of 1967 to spring of 1971) and finally United Native American Organization. That's when the organization was first recognized by NMSU as a student organization on April 27, 1971 and its first By-laws were accepted by Campus Activities.

Our Objectives:

• Promote Native American unity among the student body at New Mexico State University and to represent our various tribes with honor, prestige and endurance in the academic atmosphere of NMSU.
• Encourage Native American studens who are entering NMSU to become acquainted and effectively work together, to participate with fellow Native American students in promoting the Native American culture to the university and the community.
• To encourage and recruit Native Americans to enter and remain in college, by helping them secure financial aid and by counseling them and to acquaint incoming Native American students with the university.
• Assist Native Americans in developing positive attitudes with respect to their ethnic background by providing more opportunities to participate in activities which will help them understand their cultural values and to change stereotype images portrayed in various academic literatures and to create a new image.
• Work cooperatively with other groups at NMSU to promote mutual understanding of all different cultures, to instill a sense of pride in being a "NATIVE AMERICAN" and to encourage bilingual and even trilingual education.

Involvement:

We are sponsored by the Associated Students of NMSU and American Indian Program.
Membership is open to all interested NMSU students and the community of Las Cruces.

Sponsored Events:

UNAO sponsors the following events throughout the year:

• Fry bread sales
• Indian Taco Sales
• Along with AISES and NABSA, enter a float in the Homecoming parade each year
• Carry out different events during the American Indian Week
• Social activities such as the Halloween Social, Tailgate Parties, Christmas Social, and Valentine Social.

UNAO invites all students who are interested in participating in UNAO activities and welcomes students to attend regular meetings. Dates of scheduled meetings will be posted on campus and announced by AIP Mailing.

Our Certificate: